# Cynthia Elder > Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft Location: Santa Clara, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/cynthiaelder Top-performing Software Engineer with 10+ years of experience in Backend Systems, AI, and Robotics. Consistent track record of innovating software solutions that drive companies millions of dollars in savings/revenue. ## Work Experience ### Senior Software Engineer @ Microsoft Jan 2024 – Present - Architecting the automated test orchestration infrastructure and hardware connectivity frameworks to streamline firmware deployment and execution on custom silicon systems. - Developing the mission-critical testing infrastructure that certifies production readiness for the global AI systems powering Microsoft Copilot. - Driving cross-functional partnerships to streamline hardware-software integration and accelerate deployment cycles across Cloud + AI. - Automated technical support for global testing infrastructure by deploying a Copilot Studio agent, supporting 200+ partners with real-time troubleshooting. ### Test Automation Engineer @ Microsoft Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 - Designed and implemented a scalable test automation framework infrastructure reusable across computing platforms for firmware validation using Python, Robot Framework, JSON, and Azure DevOps pipelines. - Led scrum meetings, cross-team technical workshops, and mentoring sessions for best coding practices. - Resolved a pipeline email automation issue that was blocked for 3-months within 1-week and was given a company Super Star Award recognizing the hard work and contribution. - Vendor position through UST Global ### AI Verification Automation Engineer @ Zoox Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 - Spearheaded the technical direction for a scalable automation framework in Python that procedurally generates autonomous vehicle scenarios for virtual mass simulation of 100k+ jobs. - Slashed the test case creation time by 30% through automation-focused process design, saving 11 months of effort per quarter and eliminating the former need for an exponential team expansion. - Mentored junior team members and conducted code reviews, significantly elevating the team’s code quality. ### Software Engineer @ SRI International Jan 2016 – Jan 2019 | Menlo Park Developed systems software in C++ and Python on ROS for multiple robots used across different industries, including medical, marine, and space. Autonomous Racing Motorcycle Robot: - Partnered with Yamaha to develop systems software in C++ and Python on ROS for an autonomous racing motorcycle robot, featured at the Tokyo Motor Show, on Discovery Channel, and YouTube with 5.3M+ views. - Interfaced with actuators, sensors (GPS, IMU), and CAN bus. Conducted HIL simulation testing. Implemented path and balance algorithms in close collaboration with controls researchers. - Reignited project momentum by advocating for and promptly implementing a state estimator that significantly enhanced localization accuracy at high speed, culminating in the groundbreaking achievement of driving 200kph and becoming of the world’s fastest autonomous ground vehicle. Autonomous Factory Robots: - Architected software from the ground up in C++ and Python on ROS with one other teammate for 5 reconfigurable autonomous factory robots designed to supplant static conveyor belt lines. - Engineered a scheduler for task orchestration of the robot fleet and waypoint-based path follower. - Shattered perceivedly unattainable project deadlines, by asserting the need for a comprehensive project plan, formulating it, and ensuring close adherence. Mining Robot: - Created robot teleoperation UI and tools using Qt and RViz for a mining robot to deliver and deploy explosives in hazardous environments. Displayed critical sensor data such as LiDAR and IMU. VR Robot Teleoperation: - Designed immersive virtual reality robot teleoperation control rooms in C++ and Unreal Engine, facilitating operator training and real-time robot control for the medical, marine, and space industries. Medical Device: - Eliminated major sources of human error via precise synchronization of code and documentation by building a robust C++ code-generative UML state-machine model for FDA verification. ### Systems Software Engineer @ Kespry (We're Hiring!) Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 | Menlo Park, CA - Developed systems software in C++ on ROS for commercial-grade drones used in the mining industry. - Refactored camera system module for reusability across multiple hardware configurations. Modified testing infrastructure to run verification within a Docker module. ### RAID Software Developer @ NetApp Jan 2014 – Jan 2016 | Sunnyvale, CA - Guaranteed data reconstruction during multi-disk failure by implementing custom RAID drivers in C. ### Software Intern @ Raytheon Jan 2013 – Jan 2013 | El Segundo, CA - Constructed a Windows-based Shared Memory API in C++ for radar-environment simulation, enabling efficient transfer of large volumes of data between processes. - Converted a Signal Processing emulator from 32 to 64-bit in Microsoft Visual Studio to increase data processing capability. ### Software Engineering Intern @ NetApp Jan 2012 – Jan 2012 | Sunnyvale, California - Researched and prototyped JavaScript various JavaScript topology frameworks to be leveraged by the User-Interface and User-Experience teams in representing computer clusters, storage networking architecture, and other diagrams used in NetApp’s products. ### Associate Intern @ NASA AERO Institute Jan 2011 – Jan 2011 | Palmdale, California - Led the fabrication and programming of a Mars Rover VEX robot for student workshop demonstrations. - Crafted, organized, and delivered STEM workshops to more than 1,000 pre-college students, with topics including robotics and programming with Lego Mindstorms, programming logic, and debugging. ### Renewable Technology Research Intern @ All Valley Federal Credit Union Jan 2010 – Jan 2010 | Lancaster, California Researched renewable technology and government incentives. Presented findings to the CEO. Developed a research paper and 8-foot long green technology display used by top industries, including Lockheed Martin and NASA, for renewable energy workshops showcased to over 2,000 middle school students. ## Education ### Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Engineering California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Jan 2010 – Jan 2014 ### Computer Science Chaoyang University of Technology - Taichung, Taiwan Jan 2012 – Jan 2012 ### Granada Hills Charter High School Jan 2006 – Jan 2010 ### Bachelor of Science - BS in Computer Engineering California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Jan 2010 – Jan 2014 ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cmarieelder --- Source: https://flows.cv/cynthiaelder JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/cynthiaelder/resume.json Last updated: 2026-03-22